Candida and Parkinsons Disease Question

I have also made the connection of candida and Parkinsons disease. I was on tetracycline for acne as a young teen and suffered with yeast infections off and on that exploded into severe, chronic infections after my dad died. Diflucan for over 18 months couldn’t stop; foot soaks held the infections at bay and within 2 years I was dx with PD.

I take no meds and have spent 8 years on mind-body-emotions work, healing techniques, attended your Santa Fe seminar… I’m 6 days into a strict no sugar, no gluten diet and feel more energetic and my ankles are skinny again. There are so many conflicting diets and advice.

How are you currently doing with candida? And is there a specific diet you followed? For how long before becoming less strict?

Response:

Just to clarify for those who do not know … I do not have Parkinson’s symptoms but have discussed my journey of recovery with candida cleanses on my radio show over the years. I have personally struggled to find answers to the questions you asked above for
many years now. The conclusion I have reached is that the dance with candida never ends. In the end it is a question of balance. Too much or too little candida results in horrible health problems. some of which include the symptoms of Parkinson’s as you state above.

I will first answer the personal question, then explain the connection of candida to Parkinson’s. I have done many candida detoxes over the years. They all have helped to reduce the infection in the tissues and organs of my body. It does pay to stay in a strict
candida diet for 6 weeks every now and then. The “problem” is never really permanently solved.

I instantly know candida is an issue because I get fatigued easily. I also know I have a candida overgrowth because I have indulged in consuming sweets. I also know because rashes can also pop up here and there on my body. There is no need to request diagnostic
tests for a candida problem. My body always sends off the alarm.

In the long run the best decision I have made is to cut out eating sugar except in rare, holiday situations. Our brains certainly need sugar to function but we get plenty of sugar from the natural sources of eating fruits and other natural food sources. In other
words, healing my addiction to sugar has been the key to getting the candida problem under control.

Connection of Candida to Parkinsons Disease

Most people think that all toxins enter the body externally through the food we eat and through toxins that enter our body through our skin. Some toxins are generated internally by the body. Candida is one substance that is responsible directly or indirectly for
the production of dozens of toxins. One such toxin is acetaldehyde which is typically found in the gastrointestional track. Another toxin – salsolinol – is synthesized by the body from acedaldehyde and dopamine. Elevated levels of salsolinol have been found in the
urine and cerebrospinal fluid of persons who experience Parkinson’s symptoms.

Will you be likely to remember these complicated terms and connections a week from now or even tomorrow? I doubt it. I can’t. What is important to remember is that evidence suggests an overgrowth of candida can be an agent responsible for Parkinson’s symptoms.

Lidia Epp is the researcher who discovered the connection between Candida and Parkinson’s symptoms. She is one of the contributors to Pioneers of Recovery. Her Parkinson’s symptoms reversed after completing a successful candida cleanse.

Learning how to dance successfully with candida is the same lesson as learning to balance the energies of giving and receiving. Many people with Parkinson’s symptoms are givers who never stop to receive. They give their life force away. Learning to maintain a delicate balance of giving to others and receiving from others is one of the secrets to a successful recovery program. It is no less important than learning to balance the level of candida in our body.

Robert Rodgers PhD
Founder 2004
Parkinsons Recovery